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Petroleum Products: Amaechi Faults NUPENG Over Importation …As Oil Workers Insist On Strike
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has faulted plans by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), to engage in the importation of petroleum products into the country.
Speaking while commissioning NUPENG’s South-South zonal office complex in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi said the union should rather demand for the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, to allow private firms build refineries in Nigeria to check over dependence on imported products.
The governor disclosed that the present situation where the Federal Government spends about N600 billion subsidising petroleum products would not encourage investments in building refineries, stressing that if government removes subsidy, there would be competition in building refineries, and more people would be employed.
He blamed NUPENG leadership for abandoning the struggle against injustices, a role played by the founding fathers of the union, including people like Frank Kokori and joining the Nigerian state to perpetrate injustice on the people of the Niger Delta region by locating NUPENG’s headquarter office outside Niger Delta, in an area where oil is not produced.
According to him, “what is NUPENG’s Head Office doing in Lagos, when all the oil companies operate in Niger Delta. You should know what justice is all about, so, what is the struggle against unfair treatment, I think the struggle ended with people like comrade Kokori”.
The State Chief Executive, opined that the much-needed development of Nigeria would not be achieved without a vibrant opposition party and in this case, the labour unions.
The governor argued that the task of moving the country forward should not be left in the hands of the government of the day, as concerted efforts should be made to uplift the genuine struggle, because the interest of the nation supersedes individual gain.
“I believe Nigeria can change, we have the resources to make the change if we govern well”, Governor Amaechi declared, while calling on all stakeholders to do their best for the country to bring about the desired change, and position Nigeria as the giant of Africa.
Governor Amaechi congratulated the leadership of NUPENG for the achievement within a short time in office and promised to provide a power generating plant at the new NUPENG office in Port Harcourt and a bus to the union for their operation.
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Austen Oninwo, represented by Mr Tony Ogbuigwe, lauded the leadership of NUPENG and promised continued cooperation with the body as the NNPC plans to build more refineries in the country to ensure increased production of petroleum products.
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, commended Governor Amaechi for honouring the invitation, and for the various achievements recorded by his administration in education, health and road infrastructure which according to him, is a testimony that Rivers people did not make mistake in electing him to serve them.
Earlier, the President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, said the union frowns at the current hike in prices of kerosene and diesel, adding that NUPENG had concluded plans to build petrol stations across the nation as talks were on to begin the importation of petroleum products with a foreign partnership.
Governor Amaechi was presented with NUPENG’s Eminent Individual Award, for outstanding achievements in leadership.
Meanwhile, workers in the oil and gas sector last Saturday vowed to go ahead with their planned strike if companies in the downstream sector fail to recall their sacked members.
The workers spoke in Lagos under the aegis of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, President, South-West branch of NUPENG, told newsmen that the companies had continued to sack their members and refused them to be unionised.
“The management of M.R.S oil and gas sacked 36 of our members because they were unionised,” he said.
He said that the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company through its subsidiary SNEPCO, also sacked 15 of its workers without paying their entitlements.
Korodo said it was regrettable that the companies failed to respect the Nigerian constitution that guarantees freedom of association.
He said that the Nigeria Agip Oil Company had also concluded arrangements to sack more workers “two months after it laid off hundreds of workers.”
“The number of people they sacked two months ago has populated the already unemployed market and this is contrary to the Federal Government’s efforts to curb unemployment.
“The situation is sad because the union had agreed with the management of Agip that workers will not be sacked again till further notice.
“Another issue is that workers in LFA oil and gas, a subsidiary of Chevron Nigeria Limited was asked to join the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),” he said.
According to him, the LFA ordered the workers to join NURTW instead of NUPENG when they insisted on belonging to a union.
“ How can they ask oil workers to join NURTW? We are kicking against it and we will continue to protect the interest of our members till justice prevail,’’ the union leader said.
Korodo, who did not disclose the date for the strike, said they did not want to disrupt the general elections, that was why they waited till now.
He blamed the scarcity of kerosene on the failure of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to supply the product.
“People are scrambling for kerosene because the Ibadan, Shagamu and Ilorin depots which belong to NNPC are not loading kerosene,’’ he said.
He said that the union members were ready to work as soon as the depots were loaded with kerosene.
A Professor of Human Anatomy, with specialty in Physical and Forensic Anthropology at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Gabriel Sunday Oladipo, has expressed delight over the successful delivery of the 207th Inaugural Lecture of the university, describing it as a significant milestone in his academic career.
This is even as he commended the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Owunari Georgewill for his tremendous support in achieving the feat.
Speaking in an interview following the lecture in Port Harcourt, the scholar said presenting an inaugural lecture represents one of the highest achievements in a university career, particularly after attaining the rank of professor.
“I feel good. It is a form of achievement. An inaugural lecture is one of the peaks of an academic career in the university, especially after becoming a professor. By the grace of God, I was able to achieve that and also let the world know my area of specialization and what we have been doing over the years. It makes me feel elated,” he said.
Prof Oladipo, who was elevated to the rank of professor in 2018, noted that the journey to the inaugural lecture was built on years of focused research and dedication to his field.
Tracing the motivation behind his research trajectory, he explained that his interest was sparked and rekindled as far back as 1998 during his undergraduate studies.
According to him, he observed that much of the data used in his area of medical research were sourced from foreign populations.
“I noticed as a medical student that most of the data we used were foreign data. I felt we needed local data that are ethnicity-specific. That was the genesis of the whole journey,” he explained.
He said the realization guided his academic pursuits through his master’s and PhD programmes, as he consistently worked towards generating research findings relevant to local populations.
On the reception of his inaugural lecture, the professor expressed satisfaction with the feedback from colleagues and attendees.
“I was happy because I was able to drive home my points, and people clearly understood my presentation. I also received very encouraging commendations from some colleagues,” he said.
The academic also acknowledged the support of the university’s leadership, describing the Vice Chancellor as “highly supportive” of his aspirations and professional growth, saying, “the way the university system runs, if the Vice Chancellor does not approve your inaugural lecture, you cannot present it.”
Inaugural lectures at the University of Port Harcourt provide a platform for newly appointed professors to formally present their research contributions and academic journey to the university community and the wider public.
Prof Oladipo, however, clarified that the Head of Department(HOD) of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Port Harcourt currently functions in acting capacity, in the person of Dr J S Hart.
The Africa Global Development For Positive Change Initiative (ADIAfrica), in collaboration with Stephen Igwe and Judith Igwe International Educational System, has concluded a free eye screening outreach for residents of Rivers State.
The outreach, which was flagged off in Port Harcourt, targeted more than 300 individuals with various eye conditions. Speaking at the event, the International President of ADIAfrica, Prince Dan Mbachi, said the initiative was designed to provide access to essential eye care services for underserved communities.
According to him, the first phase of the exercise commenced in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and is expected to extend to Etche and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, while the second phase will cover other parts of the state.
Mbachi described the outreach as part of the organization’s commitment to promoting quality healthcare, equity, human dignity, and sustainable development. He emphasized that vision challenges go beyond medical concerns, noting their impact on education, economic productivity, and family wellbeing.
“At ADIAfrica International, we recognize that vision is not merely a medical issue; it is also economic, educational, and social. A child who cannot see clearly struggles to learn. A trader with impaired vision struggles to work. When sight is compromised, opportunity is limited,” he said.
He explained that the exercise provided eye tests, medications, visual field assessments, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and related accessories, stressing that the intervention was aimed at transforming lives rather than serving as a mere charitable gesture.
Mbachi further noted that the initiative aligns with ADIAfrica’s broader mission of advancing sustainable development through practical and people-centered solutions.
Also speaking at the event, a chief from Rumueme Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chief Livingston Akaninwo, commended the organisation and its partners for supporting vulnerable members of society. The traditional ruler expressed concern that many people with eye conditions suffer silently due to poverty and limited access to healthcare.
He called on the government and well-meaning individuals to support ADIAfrica’s efforts to enable the outreach to reach more communities across the state.Some beneficiaries, including Mrs. Veronica Peters Olera Pere, expressed gratitude to the organizers for the initiative and appealed for the programme to be extended to other parts of Rivers State to benefit more residents.
By: John Bibor
A three-day intensive training programme aimed at empowering adolescent girls with knowledge, life skills, and advocacy tools to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and promote their wellbeing has ended at Okogbe Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The programme, which held from February 26 to February 28, 2026, was organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. It brought together adolescent girls aged between 10 and 19 years drawn from five communities in the area, including Ubeta, Okogbe, Okaki, Akinima, and Akoh.
The training was designed to reactivate and strengthen girls’ clubs across Ahoada West, Abua/Odual, and Emohua Local Government Areas, with a strong focus on ending harmful traditional practices and equipping participants with knowledge to improve their health, safety, and social wellbeing.
Throughout the three days, facilitators engaged the girls in interactive sessions covering a wide range of topics such as menstrual hygiene, puberty education, communication skills, gender-based violence, child rights, personal hygiene, emotional intelligence, and the importance of empathy and peer support. Particular attention was given to the dangers and long-term consequences of FGM, which experts described as a serious violation of the rights of women and girls.
One of the facilitators, child protection advocate, Inyingi Irimagha, specifically of the Child Protection Network(CPN), emphasised the need to challenge harmful cultural practices that negatively affect girls, noting that culture should evolve when it threatens human dignity and health.
UNICEF Desk Officer at the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Victor Iseberetonma, also stressed that empowering young girls with knowledge and confidence remains one of the most effective strategies for eliminating FGM.
He attributed the successful organisation of the programme to the doggedness and commitment demonstrated by UNICEF, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, and others in making sure that no stone was left unturned for the smooth take-off of the programme, and particularly thanked UNICEF for the great work it is doing in the State.
Other facilitators, including Mr Unah Uchenna and Miss Lucy Uzodinma shared similar sentiments, and called for total elimination of FGM in the society.
Many of the participants described the training as enlightening and transformative, saying, it exposed them to important life lessons they had never received before. One of the girls said the programme helped her understand not only the dangers of FGM but also how to support others emotionally.
“It has educated us about what is wrong, especially about FGM and other issues affecting girls.
“We learned how to talk to people, how to empathise, how to console someone, and how to make others feel relaxed and understood,” Morrow Onisokien Burebure said.
Another participant explained that the programme went beyond discussions on harmful practices to include personal development and daily living skills.
“We learned about our values and how we should live our lives,” she said. “They taught us about menstrual hygiene, how to use sanitary materials properly, how to keep our bodies clean, wash our hands, and how to be friendly even with people we don’t know,” said Dowel Victory Bakewari of Community Secondary School, Akinima.
The participants also pledged to become advocates for change in their communities. One of them stated that she would share the knowledge gained during the training with others back home.
“I will tell people about the effects of FGM and how to stop it.We need to create awareness so that people will understand why it should not continue,” Ake Beauty enthused.
Another participant noted that the training gave her a better understanding of her body and the responsibilities that come with adolescence.
“It is good because we were taught what we need to know about our bodies as girls,” she said. We learned things we should do and things we should not do, and the dangers of FGM. I will tell people in my community that they should stop practising it,” Ebere Testimony Kenneth of Akala-Olu Community Secondary School, Ula-Upata said.
Some participants also expressed appreciation to the organisers for bringing the programme to their in communities, describing it as a life-changing opportunity. One of them simply said, “We thank the organisers for what they have done so far. They have helped us learn things that will protect our future.”
Facilitators at the programme explained that FGM remains deeply rooted in cultural traditions in some communities, which makes sustained awareness and community engagement essential. They noted that while culture plays an important role in society, harmful practices must be abandoned once they are recognised as dangerous.
According to the organisers, the programme successfully met its objectives by equipping participants with practical knowledge, leadership skills, and the confidence needed to speak out against harmful practices. They emphasised that the girls trained would serve as peer educators and change agents within their communities.
The organisers furthermore reaffirmed their commitment to continuing advocacy in efforts, strengthening girls’ clubs, and expanding grassroots awareness campaigns across Rivers State.
As the programme came to a close, the atmosphere was filled with optimism and determination. For the young participants, the training was not just an educational exercise but a call to action — one that has placed them at the forefront of effort to protect the rights, health, and future of girls in their communities.
By: Donatus Ebi
